Energy efficiency tips: what you need to know

When temperatures spike, drafty windows and doors can quickly turn into rising utility bills. New energy efficient windows and doors are crucial to maintaining a home’s comfort all year long. This is especially true in the coldest and hottest months. We’ve put together a few energy efficiency tips to help.

Here’s what you need to know to maximize energy efficiency in your home.

Give your home an energy makeover

ENERGY STAR® has a program, Home Advisor, that can help you. It works in three steps:

Create an energy profile for your home.

Get customized recommendations.

Get your list of projects, and start work.

Start at the front

A home’s front door can play a vital role as one of the first lines of defense against the elements. If a door doesn’t close properly or lets in a draft then air is getting in and out. This may impact your utility bills. First, check the weatherstrip for any gaps. Also consider the age and material of your entry door. Some materials perform better than others. If your door has large gaps and can’t be easily fixed, it’s probably time to replace it.

Glass Matters

A window is more than just a pane of glass. It’s a complex unit that has many different components. Each window has its own configuration depending on a variety of elements. Energy efficient windows feature an insulating glass unit of two or three panes as well as Low-E coatings and gas fill. These and other engineering advancements stop the transfer of heat and cold.

Standard glass has an emittance of .84 over the long-wave portion of the spectrum. This means it emits 84 percent of the energy possible for an object at its temperature. This reading also indicates that 84 percent of the long-wave radiation is absorbed by the glass, while only 16 percent is reflected. Low-E glass coatings can have an emittance as low as .04. This glazing only emits four percent of the energy possible at its temperature and reflects 96 percent. That’s a substantial difference! Learn more about glass options in our window glass blog.

JELD-WEN is proud to be an ENERGY STAR® partner. To learn more about ENERGY STAR® certifications, visit their website.

The information contained on this page is provided solely for general informational and/or educational purposes, and may not be applicable to all products, applications, climates and other factors. Please consult with your licensed contractor, architect, dealer or local building code official for information relevant to your geographic region and project. JELD-WEN makes no representation or warranty that this information is applicable for your circumstances. JELD-WEN disclaims all liability associated with the use or transfer of this information.

About Us

JELD-WEN is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of reliable windows and doors. Our extensive product offering encompasses windows, exterior doors, interior doors and related building products that are sold globally through multiple distribution channels, including retail home centers, wholesale distributors and building products dealers.